Chinese official in sex scandal appeals

A former Chinese official embroiled in a high-profile sex video scandal appealed against his 13-year jail sentence for bribery in China's Chongqing municipality Wednesday.

Lei Zhengfu, former secretary of Chongqing's Beibei District Committee of the Communist Party of China, submitted the appeal after consulting with family members and his lawyer, Xinhua reported.

The 55-year-old appeared in a sex video that was posted online in November. He was subsequently removed from his post and detained by police Feb 1. In May, Lei was expelled from the communist party.

Lei used his position to obtain benefits for others and accepted bribes totalling more than 3.16 million yuan. His activities constituted bribery, according to a court statement on June 28.